Happy Thanksgiving!

From the Principal

Thank you everyone for participating in our parent/teacher conferences last month. Our participation rate is very high, which is a reflection of the dedication our parents have to the children of this school.

Our attribute of focus for November is gratitude. Though there is a wonderful connection to the Thanksgiving holiday, we do try to portray gratitude as an important quality of character throughout the year. I hope you will join the conversation by talking with your child(ren) about what you are grateful for and the value of “an attitude of gratitude.”

We are exploring some interesting topics this year that we want to include you in, if you are interested. Monica Edwards and our Technology Team are offering a presentation, specifically for parents about internet safety. As you may remember, last year Craig and I wrote several communications detailing concerns being raised by students, staff and parents regarding forms of bullying (cyberbullying) on the internet. I’m convinced that we will have to strengthen our parent/school partnership in order to help our children learn respectful, ethical use of this powerful medium. The Internet Safety workshop will be December 3rd at 6:30 here at Madrona.

Also of interest to us this year is the affect of media on the developing child. In January our staff will host Gloria DeGaetano, a national author/speaker/expert on the affects

of media on children and their developing brains. Gloria will present to staff on the afternoon of January 24th and again to Madrona parents that evening at 7:00. I hope you will join us for both of these important presentations designed to help educators and parents raise healthy children in this rapidly changing world.

Finally, I must express my gratitude to this wonderful community for the day-to-day support you provide the children here. It is both a privilege and a challenge for me to work with such passionate and bright people! Our children’s school lives are greatly enhanced by your service. I send my wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday to each Madrona family!

- Lynda

A Huge Thank You to Felicia Seubert!

A Big Thank You to Felicia Seubert for all her hard work and dedication to The Bear Scare! This year we had a record turn out and it looked like all the kids were having a fabulous time. I also want to thank all the volunteers who donated their time, cupcakes, candy, coolers, etc. to help make Bear Scare a success! We could not have Bear Scare if we didn't have all the awesome volunteers and donations so THANK YOU ALL!

Kim Magana

MIT Co-Chair’s Corner

How We Protect Our Kids from Harm

This is an appeal to all of us to take a deep breath, sit back, and think about how we can best take care of our kids and keep them safe. There has been a lot of very excited conversation this week about a registered Level 3 Sex Offender who lives near Madrona. The Edmonds Police Department distributed a flyer 2 weeks ago to local families, and Madrona was also the location for an information meeting for the neighborhood.

The question that a lot of people are asking is whether the administrators or teachers at Madrona had an obligation to inform the parents about this guy. My answer is no, it is not the responsibility of a school to do the job of the police. The reason for this is simple: if the school was supposed to notify the parents, and the parent of just one kid didn’t get the note or email or phone message, then it could be argued that the school is liable if that kid gets hurt. This is an untenable situation, and too much to require of our school and its staff. The District says school staff are to leave the policing to the police.

In the case of a choice school like Madrona, maybe the District could change the rule, in recognition that kids who go to choice schools do not necessarily live in the neighborhoods surrounding the school. Then, the District might allow schools to act as a distribution point for the materials put out by the police.

The thing is, there are always sex offenders among us. Many of them just haven’t been caught. We can’t assume that the guy who registers for a crime committed 13 years ago is any worse than the guy waiting for the bus or buying groceries at the store or panhandling on the corner. How are we to guard against them all? We can’t do any more than teach our kids to be safe. We also can’t demand that the people who deal with our kids when we aren’t there do any better job than we do.

Right now we are experiencing on a local scale the confusion and distress that engulfed the whole country after 9/11, to bring up an overworked theme. One of the common themes after 9/11 was mistrust. Mistrust of government and of the guy walking down the street. We profiled and stereotyped people we didn’t know. We actually weakened our country by showing ourselves to be vulnerable to exactly the type of fear that our attackers wanted us to feel.

I don’t want to sound Pollyanna-ish, but I have always felt that one of the beauties of democracy and the American way of life is that everybody gets a chance. We are known for our good-natured strength and optimism. We can be aware of the threats that surround us and still offer our children security and a happy childhood.

At school our kids are constantly surrounded by adults who love them. We are a huge, active community of committed parents. We are very involved in our kids’ daily activities. We know what they are up to, and we are cautious about the people we invite into our lives. Our kids’ teachers and the administrators and staff at our school are often more aware than we of the conflicts and hazards our kids face, and they are there for us all. The people at our school know who’s supposed to be there and who isn’t.

I must admit I was a big proponent of vigilante justice when our school was being vandalized a couple of years ago. But that was in response to an active threat. The situation we now face is more in our imaginations than real.

We cannot allow ourselves to be driven by fear. Our anxiety will be passed on to our kids, who will become fearful and lose a lot of their enjoyment of life. We demean ourselves when we become suspicious of everybody who doesn’t look or act exactly like us.

I ask us all to be safe and confident with our children, and supportive of the folks who make our kids into thinking, caring, responsible people every day.

- Linda Hood

Madrona Integrated Team

What a “Beary Scarey” Time!

We have two goals for Bear Scare --everyone must have fun & we make enough money to put on another Bear Scare. Thanks to a record breaking 900+ trick-or-treaters in attendance we accomplished both goals! The gym was crowded with princesses, goblins, Power Rangers, pirates, one Blue man & one Green man. Fun was had by all! No one could name what their favorite activity was. There were cupcakes, slime, tattoos, cookies (for a short while), games, a photo booth and of course the best haunted house ever!

Since November’s character attribute is gratitude, it is the perfect time for me to thank the many people who help put on the most successful Bear Scare yet.

First, thank you to all the Madrona parent volunteers who donated cupcakes, cookie decorations, & candies for the kids. Thank you to all the Madrona parent volunteers who shared their valuable time either at set up, clean up, an activity, games & pizza.

Thank you to all 9 middle school advisories & middle school students who created an awesome haunted house.

Thank you to the Bear Scare committee chairs, Holly Davis(Pizza), Holly Keith(Slime and Candy Decorating), Lorna Miller(Slime and Cookie Decorating) , & Sherry Horvath (Cupcake Walk). Thank you to Mary Jo & Sakoi for manning the fishing game for the second year in a row! Thank you to Paprika Fahrenwald, Lisa Miller & Melissa Ferguson for handling the ticket sales at the door.

And last but not least to my husband Kenny for putting up with all the Bear Scare stuff all over the place & my son Eugene who asked me to do Bear Scare. Have a wonderful fall and winter everyone!

- Felicia Seubert

MIT Raises Funds for Madrona Kids, But That’s Only Part of What We Do

MIT -- the Madrona Integrated Team, your parent/teacher/student organization – is the umbrella organization that helps teachers teach, the administration manage, and kids learn. If you are a parent or guardian, teacher, staff, or student at Madrona, YOU ARE ALREADY A MEMBER. No signing up, no annual dues, no membership card; you’re in! And, as a member of MIT, you have the opportunity to help raise funds to support the programs and activities that the Edmonds School District can’t pay for.

Please attend one or all of the MIT meetings. They are generally held the 3rd Tuesday of every month during the school year, in the Library. If you can’t attend a meeting, please consider contacting your MIT representative with any concerns or interest you would like to have discussed in this forum – we can’t have a vibrant community without a lot of input and feedback from a broad range of people.

Your donations really do keep our school running smoothly. Please take a minute to read the articles in Bear Facts about All For Kids, Scrip and all the other fundraising activities, and then decide how you can best contribute to Madrona. Thank you.

– Linda Hood

Jerry Debner – MIT Parent Extraordinaire!

Jerry Debner, dad of Ohana and Paw Sal Cha’l kids, MIT Treasurer, Karen Scott bench designer and all around great guy, gets my vote for Parent Extraordinaire this month. Jerry and his wife Lois already do so much for our school, and then Jerry went and exceeded his greatness quota by registering MIT and All for Kids as his chosen charity in the Washington Mutual employee giving day. On Friday, 10/26, Jerry climbed 42 flights of stairs in the Washington Mutual building in Seattle in 10 minutes. He said his training time was 8 minutes from ground floor to the top, but on the day of the stair climb he was slowed down by colleagues whom he had to pass at landings. Jerry’s efforts were supported by almost $1600 in donations from Madrona families. Washington Mutual will give that back to All for Kids, and match every dollar we donated. With this climb alone, Jerry has raised 1/7th of All for Kids annual goal. Way to go, Jerry!

- Linda Hood

More Info

CPC (Citizen’s Planning Committee) October Meeting

The CPC, the Edmonds School District committee is comprised of parent representatives from each school and school district management. I am the representative for Madrona. We met on Oct. 1 and here are the results:

First I would like to address a rumor circulating at our school and emphasize there has been no discussion on bussing to and from Madrona and that there are no plans on to discuss it.

In the general meeting, we discussed the upcoming Technology/Capital Levy that may be placed on the ballot in May 2008. Identified projects that the Levy would pay for would include key card entry at all buildings, efficient energy monitoring and carpet replacement in several buildings. There was some discussion about what the 2004 Levy paid for. The current Levy has helped pay for 580 laptops for the schools, printers, network upgrade, seismic upgrades, pre design work for Lynnwood High School, and outdoor facilities/field improvements.

A representative from Citizens for Schools (CFS), Tracy Greene, reported that the activity was underway to inform votes about the Simple Majority measure on the November ballot. It was emphasized that all information sent through the district on the measure must be informational only. Phone Banks for CFS volunteers to inform voters opened on Oct. 10.

CPC representatives also must meet in subcommittees, which include Boundaries, Education and Operations (I am on the Operations groups, which includes transportation services). Here are the results:

Boundaries: The committee will be looking at declining enrollment at smaller schools and general demographic trends. There is a lot of statistical analysis and questions to be sifted for this group. Madrona is not declining in enrollment in case you were wondering.

Education: The committee discussed the Math Curriculum adoption, especially for K-5 and 9-12 (middle school is already being implemented). Parent Math Workshops are being rolled out at many secondary schools. The District is working on identifying implementation specifics for the elementary level.

Operations: Reg Clarke, Transportation Director, provided us with an in-depth overview of how transportation logistics district-wide have to blend with budget constraints and make it workable. The committee will look at a variety of programs served by transportation in the upcoming months. The District Student Services, which helps decide many of these programs, will be meeting with us next month. Overall, there is not much room in the current budget for change, just fine-tuning.

- Kory DeMun, kdemun@comcast.net 425.775.6027

Staff Star

Kelly Carlson, our wonderful secretary, has worked in schools for ten years, nine of them at Madrona! She says she chose to work in a school because she loves working with kids & helping people. Kelly’s favorite thing about Madrona is the variety of ages of children and the great staff. When she’s not at Madrona Kelly enjoys scrap-booking, knitting, camping and travel. We appreciate Kelly’s work, her ready smile & laughter!

UNICEF

Please remember to turn in your Trick or Treat for UNICEF box to the Main Office by Wednesday, November 14. Thank you for making a difference in another child's life.

– Deborah Binder, UNICEF coordinator

Prepare For Winter!

The national Weather service & NOAA are calling for a colder & wetter winter than normal. Start preparing before it hits.

In a power outage have these five essential supplies in a central location:

• - Flashlight
• - Batteries
• - Portable battery-operated radio or television
• - At least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
• - Nonperishable food

Families can take extra steps to stay safe, including:

- Use only battery-powered lights. Candles carry a greater risk of sparking a fire.

- Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.

- Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer to keep perishables cold.

- To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run a generator or barbecue inside a confined space, such as a home or garage.

- If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home’s electrical system unless you have an approved power transfer switch installed. You could end up injuring or killing a utility worker if you feed power back to the lines. – Kim Magana

Textiles Needs Your Help!

Help! There are 28 beginners & several who need one- on-one help. Anyone out there know how to sew? If you are available Tues, Thur. @ 12:20 - 2:10 & Fri @ 1:30 - 2:10, contact: stephensonb@edmonds.wednet.edu

Madrona Safety Committee Meetings

Here is the schedule for the Safety Committee meetings. All meetings begin at 9:00 AM, & are held in the conference room adjacent to the Main Office. The meetings are open to all those interested.– Ellen Ernst

• November 8
• December 6
• January 10
• February 7
• March 6
• April 10
• May 8

Talk It Out

Madrona has adopted a new program for resolving student conflicts entitled Talk It Out.

On October 12, Madrona teachers, administrators, and support staff, participated in the training for this program. The goals of this program are to help Madrona students and staff develop a common language for peacefully resolving conflict, and to create independent problem solvers and conflict resolvers. The students will be taught how to do this through a series of lessons in their classrooms that include: conflict resolution, how to cool off, how to talk using I statements, how to listen, and how to find fair solutions.

Every classroom has a poster that illustrates the steps to take in resolving conflicts peacefully. These steps include:

1. Stop and cool off.
2. Talk and listen.
3. Think of ways to solve the problem.
4. Choose the idea you both like best.

This process can be effective for resolving conflicts that may arise within the classroom, on the playground, in other areas of the school, or even at home. A way you can support this process is by helping your child gain practice in using I statements. An I statement is a way for your child to express his/her feelings about something someone else has said or done. This could be a positive thing or a negative thing. For example, “I felt proud when you complimented me on my assignment because the compliment made me feel good.” The I statement template is: I___(feeling) when you ___(specific behavior) because___(how it affects me).

This process is initially done with the students and the teacher or another adult, but eventually, they learn to independently solve their conflicts without needing the assistance of an adult.

We are already noticing the positive effects of this program at Madrona. There is a link in Bear Facts to a power point presentation that will provide you with more information if you are interested in learning more about this program.

- Sharyn Entrop, School Psychologist and Counselor

Media/Technology News

Cyberbullying

There is a new kind of humiliation in schools these days – bullying on the Internet. Children are using the anonymity of the Internet to harass other children, spread cruel rumors & somthimes even threaten physical harm. The same technology that has brought so many benefits is also bringing pain to far too many children, while allowing others to brutalize their peers without the chance of getting caught.

- New pain, old problem. There’s nothing new about bullying, but the Internet has made it a far easier thing to accomplish. By simply creating a separate screen name or instant message (IM) identity, kids can use the Internet to send hate mail that, in most cases, can’t be traced.

- Not an isolated incident. Studies have found that 1 in 4 children have been harassed online.

- IMs are the biggest problem. Instant messages are where the vast majority of bullying takes place online. Unlike computer screen names, people can create an unlimited number of IM names for themselves. Kids use this as an opportunity to create untraceable identities that they use to bully others online.

- Bad judgment can cause a lifetime of hurt. Children can send very personal information to others over the Internet. Love-sick girls have send obscene photos or videos of themselves to the boys they like, and then they can be sent to others, & on & on. Some parents have been shocked to find that there are pornographic images of their own children available to anyone on the Web.

Here are some tips for parents:

- Discuss the topic with your child. You may be surprised to learn that your child already has been a target of cyber-bullying. The most important thing to find out is what kind of bullying is taking place. Are the words cruel, or are threats involved? If your child is being victimized, make sure he or she lets you know when it’s happening.

- Keep records. Copy & print all offending IMs or emails, including the “buddy name” of the perpetrator. Print them & take them to your school principal to discuss. If physical harm is being threatened, you must talk to the police. Authorities can discover the identity of an Internet name if a life has been threatened.

- Monitor your children when they are on the computer. Listen for signs that they are being unkind, as well as for indications that they are being bullied. Then take action. Your children need your help.

- National Association of Elementary School Principals

Madrona Internet Safety & Cyberbullying Event

Madrona hosts Internet Safety & Cyberbullying Event – NEW DATE!

Tuesday November 13th @ 6:00pm: Parent Internet Safety Focus Committee. Preview assembly material. New members welcome! (questions may be directed to Monica Edwards, edwardsmo@edmonds.wednet.edu)

Monday, December 3rd @ 9:30: Madrona school assembly *note: grade levels attending are yet to be determined

Monday, December 3rd @ 6:30: Internet Safety parent evening with guest speaker Snohomish County Detective Lee Malkow

Parents interested in learning more about Internet safety & responsibility can visit Madrona’s tech technology page and checkout out the Internet Safety links. (http://staff.edmonds.wednet.edu/madrona/tech/teacherweblinks.htm#internetsafety

- Monica Edwards

Bear Facts Web Site

The Madrona Bear Facts Web site (http://madronabearfacts.com) is YOUR reliable source of information about Madrona! Please contact Allan Townsend, if you have suggestions or concerns about the Web site. It will be updated constantly with fresh information. Keep checking back throughout the year. And don’t forget the online Calendar -- it's a great way to check on Madrona events and meetings.

- Allan Townsend, MIT Communications Director

Madrona Monday Broadcast

Madrona Monday Broadcast is on the Internet! Check out the Madrona Morning Broadcast at http://feeds.feedburner.com/MadronaMMB or search for MMB in iTunes podcast directory.

– Sarah DeMun

Mix it Up Day! November 13th

Mix It Up at Lunch Day will be held at Madrona on November 13th. This project is sponsored by Tolerance.org, the web project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. It is a simple call to action: take a new seat in the cafeteria. By making the move, students can cross the lines of division, meet new people and make new friends. Parents who are interested in helping during any of the lunches on November 13th should contact Monica Edwards. edwardsmo@edmonds.wednet.edu

A Glance Back at Us.

Madrona 2007-08 yearbook cover contest! Please enter any hand drawn, or computer generated, original designs to be used for the cover of this year’s yearbook. Be sure to include the theme,” a Glance Back at Us”. You can turn in your design to your classroom teacher or email to madronamedia@yahoo.com. All entries will be included in the yearbook, so get creative! Be sure to use only your artwork. NO COPYWRITED IMAGES. Your design can be any size you’d like but the cover dimensions are 71/4 by 11 ½. Your designs are due by November 16th.

– Media Class

Bear Facts Newsletter: New Temporary Email Address

The Bear Facts Editor has had a very dismal month (grrr!)! My email address has disintegrated, & I have a new temporary address: nancy@academypress.com. Send all communications there until the next time you hear from me. Please accept my apologies to everyone who got bounced or who noticed an article or photo was missing. I did everything I could to try to reach people & had very limited resources. Many thanks to all of you who were able to contribute -- it’s your articles that keep the Bear Facts interesting! The cutoff date for the next newsletter is Dec. 1.

- Nancy Karis

Barnes & Noble Book Fair!

Just in time for the holidays! Our Barnes & Noble Book Fair is Nov. 15th from 5:30 - 8:30. Come join us for fun and entertainment. The Pacific Science Center will be giving science demonstrations, Everett's Children's Theater will be performing and our very own ensemble of middle school musicians will be entertaining us with their musical talents.

Come support our school library and get your holiday shopping off to a great start! See you there! – Ann DeVight

Music Department

Upcoming Concerts

Fall Orchestra/Choir Concert – Middle School Orchestra & Choir Dec. 6 – Thursday, 7:00pm at Madrona Gym

Winter Band Concert – Middle School Bands, Advanced Elementary Band, Jazz I, & Jazz II Dec. 11 – Tuesday, 7:00pm at Madrona Gym

- Matt Edwards

Madrona Theater & Music News

Seussical The Musical

This year Madrona’s Children Theater is excited to present the Broadway acclaimed production of Seussical the Musical with Ted Jaquith as director, Mark and Nancy Press as music directors, and Gabe Corey as choreographer. Ted, Mark and Nancy are returning after last year’s phenomenal production of Grease. Joining them this year is Gabe Corey who is a very talented local actor and choreographer. Gabe was awarded this year’s 5th Avenue High School Musical Theatre Award for outstanding choreography. What an amazing creative team!

Seussical uses a host of Seuss characters and a outstanding musical score. The Cat in the Hat narrates the story and appears randomly throughout the play to make humorous comments to the audience.

The story begins with Horton the Elephant who one day hears the call for help from a bunch of tiny, microscopic Whos living on top of a small speck of dust. Horton saves them and vows to protect them, but that turns out to be very difficult. The Whos have a host of other very “human” problems to deal with from environmental disasters to wars based on people who just simply THINK way too much.

MCT’s Seussical performances will be at the Mountlake Terrace High School Theater on Thursday March 20th, Friday March 21st, and two performances on Saturday March 22nd.

Seussical auditions for students 4th thru 8th grade will be on Tuesday Nov 13th and Wednesday Nov 14th from 3:50 until 6:00pm. Everyone who auditions will be in the play. Audition sign up sheets are posted in the music building hallway. Students are asked to pick just one day that they would like to audition. Call Back days will be Nov 15th and 16th. If you have any questions, please contact producers Sharon Quiring at 425-742-1083 or Sarah DeMun at 425-775-6027.

- Sarah DeMun

Music News

ALL-STATE

Congratulations to Hannah Burson and Grace DeMun for their selection and participation in the Junior All-State Band. This group consists of the very best 8th grade musicians in the state. Both girls put in many hours of practice to accomplish this goal. They spent all day on Saturday, October 20 rehearsing and presented a wonderful concert that evening. Grace and Hannah are the first Madrona students to make all-state, and two of only four Edmonds School District musicians to be selected for any of this year’s all-state groups. We are all very proud of both girls.

EDMONDS JAZZ SYMPOSIUM

Madrona’s Jazz Ensemble I participated in the Edmonds School District Jazz Symposium on October 27 at Mountlake Terrace High School. The morning was spent performing, rehearsing, and listening to other middle school and high school jazz bands from the Puget Sound region. Thanks to the students for all of their hard work and extra rehearsals.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Let your music teachers know if you are interested in taking private lessons. Many local instructors are ready and willing to help out. Sometimes just a few months of lessons makes all of the difference in the world.

- Matt Edwards

Center News

Kindergarten News

Ms. Rust’s Class

Now that the part-time kindergarteners have gotten in the swing of a new school year, they are undergoing assessments and preparing to be placed in math and language study groups. This gives them the opportunity to work at their skill level and make different friends from the ones at their assigned table. Also, the children will be mixed among those from the entire grade, so they will get to know students from the full-time classrooms as well. The classes often share recess time and as a result of the reading/math class structure, they will probably be developing new friendships. The big event of the month was that we went to Chicken Little at the Everett PUD Auditorium: our first field trip. The bus ride was almost as fun as the show for them, and the performances by the Storybook Theater company were delightful and engaging.

– Erika Jennings

TriCenter

The TriCenter has been working on a community theme unit. The teachers have really felt a difference in the behavior and relationships in the classroom and many parents have also made comments about it. Please check out the posters in the hallway outside the classroom in the second building. They recently went on a field trip to the newly face-lifted Seattle Aquarium. The kids got to learn about, see and touch sea creatures of all kinds! (I was fortunate to be a chaperone on this trip and was pleasantly surprised by the nice behavior exhibited by all the kids.) On October 31st they had their first party of the year. They celebrated friendships and a fall theme as the kids played musical chairs, made friendship cards, built a fall friendship tree, got tattooed and enjoyed fruit parfaits.

-Joyce Wheeler

Ohana

Ohana has settled into this school year very nicely! Oct. 15 was our first field trip to the Seattle Aquarium & everyone had a blast exploring the tide pools. And these lucky kids JUST had a second trip – to see The BFG at SCT on Nov. 6. It was a fantastic show. Our little garden by Bldg. 3 has been filled with literally hundreds of bulbs – planted entirely by the kids. Now we just have to wait until Spring to see how it turns out.

 – Nancy Karis

SND

October had SND students walking on eggshells! Actually, they were quite successful in avoiding all of them. The traditional Autumn Olympics was held in the SND room at the end of October, and thanks to so many helpful donations, parent volunteers and extremely enthusiastic teachers and students, it was a smashing success. Donut & pie-eating contests, indoor baseball, a mummy wrap, a tasty stew and many more activities kept the students busy all day. In the end, everyone was a winner and proudly displayed their medal of honor as they headed out the door.

The study of water has been woven into all of the academic strands. Students journal about water use in and around their homes, and in science they are learning about the properties of liquid and using common vocabulary to describe their observations. Science also brought the students outdoors on a sunny day at the beginning of May, to plant 50 tulip and daffodil bulbs in the Peace Garden between unit 1 and 2. SND was awarded an MIT mini-grant last spring for this beautification project that everyone will be able to enjoy this spring when the bulbs begin blooming.

- Monica Edwards

Paw-Sal-Cha’l

October was a blast! We enjoyed the spirited activities, amusing costumes and half days! Thank you to Amy Tanner for planning our “Fall on the Farm” festivities. The class, with many helping parents, engaged in two days of baking scrumptious fall delights such as cookies and pumpkin pies. Then a lively dance party, with games and crafts, followed to mark the occasion! It was pure fun and a great success!

In art the students have been studying the brilliant work of Georgia O’Keefe. Recently they had an opportunity to design their own stunning close up flower images using oil pastels. They are experimenting with solids and liquids in science. As well as reading The BFG by Roald Dahl in class. Preparing and looking forward to the upcoming field trip to see Seattle Children’s Theater performance of The BFG.

 This month the children are also expressing their appreciation for one another. They are celebrating each other with special awards such as Very Thoughtful, Good People Drawer, Good Listener, Sitting Nice in Circle, as well as many more awards that inspire and uplift them. In honoring each other this way the children remind us all to be very thankful for the many blessings in our lives.

- Shellette DuBois

Summit

The Summit Center has been exploring new and exciting ways to create beautiful art. A few weeks ago, the kids made sunset / shadow pictures and learned about color variation and hue. Last week the kids started on a project to create Agamorphs, 3-dimensional graphic art that will stun and amaze us all then it is done. Many, many thanks to parent and artist Kris Mason, who has researched these art forms and brought them so memorably to Summit kids.

– Linda Hood

Animal Crackers

Hello parents & friends of the DHH preschool! The DHH preschool has two things to announce: a friendly reminder and a call-out for a donation.

The friendly reminder is to all parents at Madrona about diaper disposal. If any child's diaper is changed at school, please deposit the soiled diaper in a plastic bag, then put the diaper in the garbage. There are always bags under the changing tables in both girls and boys bathrooms in building 1. We always have plastic bags in room 13 that you are welcome to use also. Thanks for your help in this important sanitation issue. Our custodians will appreciate your cooperation immensely.

The preschool would like to have a new addition for our centers/choice time activities. We need a floor model, multi-level doll house with the miniature furniture and people included to manipulate as we use our imaginations when we play. Does any one have an old doll house down in the basement or up in the attic that you aren't using any more??? Or if you know a way to purchase a doll house at a discounted price, please let us know. Thanks and we're always here if you need us!

- Gary, PJ, Elise

Madrona's Vineyard DHH Kickball Club

Friday, November 16, 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Activities will include games and crafts. Dinner will be served at 5 pm. This is for all deaf, hard of hearing, CODA and hearing signers. The club meets in the gym. This year we are asking for a donation of $5 per child to cover cost of dinner. Please come and join in the fun! For more information/questions or if you want to help or have a story you want to share contact Joanna Clearbrook (daisyjo@tmail.com) or Cheryl Kaler(KalerC@edmonds.wednet.edu.

Please RSVP to teachers. Next club dates: December 14, January 18

TXT Center

You may have heard already that our center has a new name this year: TXT. Our class theme is sports, and many students expressed an interest in extreme sports during our brainstorm session for a new center name. We work very hard in school and aspire to be “extreme” in our learning, so

students came up with “The Extreme Team” or “TXT” for our center name. We hope you like it.

I want to give you an update on what we have been doing the first two months of school. First, students have gotten to know a new organizational system to keep track of all assignments and when they are due. Keeping track of their own assignments encourages students to be independent and responsible. In math, our focus in September was money and our focus for October was subtraction with borrowing. In November, we will focus on time concepts.

Students continue to have an opportunity to buy items at a pretend store in the back of our classroom. This will continue throughout the year as will our work with subtraction and time concepts. In addition, students are working towards earning lunch at McDonald’s for memorizing their addition, subtraction, multiplication & division facts. Congratulations to Amber Winkle for being the first student to earn a McDonald’s lunch. Way to go, Amber!

Vineyard Kickball continues to be a popular enrichment activity for students in TXT. In October, a group of intermediate students organized & ran a special Halloween themed Vineyard event. This included bobbing for apples, a candy walk and an ASL story time. Everyone who participated had a wonderful time. What a fabulous

opportunity for our DHH students to develop their leadership skills.

- April McGill, DHH Intermediate Teacher

ASL Storytelling

Deaf Connection presents ASL Storytelling at the Barnes & Noble in University Village (Seattle) on Saturday, November 17. Storytelling begins at 11 am. Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing children are welcome! Special thanks to the Childs Hearing League and Barnes and Noble for their support!

ASL Classes

Want to learn American Sign Language? ASL classes are being held Monday nights at Madrona in the library 6-7:30 pm. Childcare provided.

Middle School News

The Washington Civil War Re-enactors are Coming to Madrona’s Middle School on November 13th

Several members of the organization will set up an encampment and “stations” that middle school students will visit during the day. Middle schoolers will learn what it was like to be a soldier during the Civil War. Re-enactors bring with them a wealth of knowledge, along with equipment that is authentic right down to the boots. The organization is also working to get a Civil War cannon to appear at our reenactment! They travel all over the United States putting on large exhibitions. We are very fortunate to be able to have the re-enactors come to Madrona as it takes a lot of effort and organization to put up an encampment, transport equipment (including a cannon), and travel from far away to be here for a day.

– Sarah DeMun

Student Showcase 2008

Attention all Middle & High School aged students within the Edmonds School District boundaries:

Lynnwood Student Showcase 2008

Great opportunity for students to perform! Scholarship $$!

The City of Lynnwood Arts Commission & Lynnwood Rotary are looking for Middle & High School aged students within the Edmonds School District to perform in our 3rd Annual Student Showcase on Thursday, January 31, 2008. We are looking for applications from students who dance, play an instrument, sing, etc. Download applications at www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/parks (click arts commission link). Please contact us if you would like a stack of applications mailed to you or if you have questions. Deadline to apply is December 7, 2007. Thank You!

Fred Wong, Cultural Arts Supervisor

Marianne Johnson, Cultural Arts Assistant

City of LynnwoodParks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department 425.744.6459

Keep Out the Cold - Middle School Service Project

Hailey Trumble started an outerwear community service project on Oct 15th called Keep out the Cold. A container, generously donated by Porta Box, is set up in front of her family’s store City Kids at 9726 Edmonds Way (near the old Albertsons) to help collect items. Hailey is helping needy families in Snohomish County by collecting jackets, hats, scarves, gloves & boots, in all sizes that are clean and in good usable condition. Many coat drives don’t happen until after the Holiday, so Hailey is helping to get warm clothing to families before the cold weather sets in. She will be there every Saturday from 9-5pm until Nov 15th. If you can’t make it to the store on a Saturday, items may be left in the store at anytime. Please donate to this wonderful cause!

– Sarah DeMun

ASB News

Wintergreen order forms went home on Oct. 17. This is the primary fundraiser for ASB. It generates the funds for things like: music program bus trips, graduation ceremonies, center playground equipment, the new outdoor water fountain on the lower field, traversing wall, etc. Order forms and checks must be in by Nov. 7. These fresh wreaths and garlands will be here for you to pick up on Nov. 20th. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to support Madrona ASB and prepare your home for the winter season at the same time! On another note, we have set the date for the first, middle school dance of the year, Dec. 14. We will need help in the chaperone department and we need help finding another DJ. If you know of a reputable and reasonably priced DJ, please email stephensonb@edmonds.wednet.edu. Your input is greatly appreciated.

- BJ Stephenson

More News

Guest writer

Congratulations to Aimie Epoch, a Madrona 7th grader, who recently competed in the United States Figure Skating Pacific Northwest 2008 Regional Championships. The top four skaters in the Intermediate Ladies Division move on to compete in the Jr. National Championships. There are 9 regions in the US and only 4 skaters from each region move on to this National Competition. Thus, 36 skaters total will compete in this division. This year it will be hosted in Salt Lake City, UT. Aimie will represent our region! This is a huge accomplishment. Recently I had the opportunity to interview Aimie about her interesting life. Join us in wishing Aimie, her coaches Darin Hosier & Corrie Martin of Highland Figure Skating Club all the best at JR Nationals! By Lily DuBois

• Q. What do you feel like before a competition?
• A. Prepared.
• Q. What do you feel like after a competition?
• A. Excited for the results.
• Q. When did you first start skating?
• A. I first started skating when I was 5 years old. I started because I was going to be invited to a party. My family decided I should take group lessons.
• Q. Do you plan on ice skating as a career?
• A. I plan on doing something involving sports.
• Q. What do you feel like now that you are going to JR Nationals?
• A. I am very excited that I get to go to JR Nationals.
• Q. Where and when are the JR Nationals?
• A. JR Nationals is in Salt Lake City Utah at the end of November.
• Q. What are some other hobbies you have?
• A. Some other hobbies I have are reading, recreational swimming, score keeping for baseball and playing with our dog Mildred Louise.
• Q. What is some advice you’d give to new skaters?
• A. One piece of advice I would give is to set realistic goals and work towards them.
• Q. How do you feel when you learn a new move?
• A. There is no perfection, just more work to improve.

- Attention students! Be our “guest writer” & share one of your poems, short stories or commentaries. Send to: nancy@academypress.com

Handicapped Parking Etiquette

Do you know what the white painted spaces to the right of handicapped parking spaces are for? These areas make a space “van accessible” and allow the extra room needed to accommodate wheelchair ramps/lifts and to unload equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers. This is not extra parking and by parking there, not only could you be fined but you’re making it difficult for someone who needs that area. Also, if you have a handicapped parking placard but don’t need a “van accessible” space, please avoid parking in those spaces so they’ll be available for those who need them (there are several available). Thank you so much for your consideration!

Kids’ Corner

The Bear Market

Madrona’s own “classified ads!”

For Sale: GIRO Richochet Child's Ski Helmet Size M/L. Metallic Silver. NEVER used and in original box. Paid $65. It's yours for $45 or best offer. Call Deborah at 425-361-3942

I am looking for people in the Edmonds area and Shoreline who would consider supporting local agriculture by becoming a part of a CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculture) farm next year. CSA’s are farms that offer people a chance to purchase a share in them and in return, each week from June through October, you will receive a box full of produce. This year I have been getting weekly boxes of organic produce from a farm called Boistfort Valley Farm located in Curtis, WA. www.boistfortvalleyfarm.com The cost is $550 for 20 weeks which works out to $27.50 per week. I split my share with a friend. Currently I have to drive to Ballard to pick up the box, but if I can get enough people who are interested in our area, they will have a drop off site here. I would love to have the drop off site a little closer to home. If you’d like more information or would like to talk to me about this call or email me Sarah DeMun at 425-775-6027 or sdemun@comcast.net.

If you’ve got something to sell, or a service to provide, post it here! Send ads for “The Bear Market” by the end of each month to: nancy@academypress.com

Madrona Cooks!

Curried Pumpkin Soup

Adapted from the Southern Living Cookbook

 - Sarah DeMun

• 1-1/2 T olive oil
• 8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 T flour
• 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1-1/2 T curry powder
• 3 cups pumpkin
• ½ tsp pepper
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• Approx. 12 oz milk or coconut milk

• Sauté mushrooms and onions in olive oil until soft.
• Add flour and stir until blended.
• Add broth and curry powder and simmer until thicken
• Add pumpkin, pepper, and nutmeg and simmer until hot.
• Add milk until you reach desired consistency, heat until hot.

Serve with a tablespoon of chutney, if desired.

Submit recipes to: nancy@academypress.com

Volleyball News

The middle school volleyball team practices on Mon, Wed., and Thurs. from 3:50 - 5 p.m. Our only tournament dates are Wed., Nov. 14 @ 4p.m. and Thurs., Nov. 15 @ 4 p.m. Remember: volleyball medical forms must be in by Nov. 12 at the latest. If you would like to assist as a net setter-upper, scorekeeper, Student Store clerk, team drink provider, lines person or referee (must have had some past experience), please contact stephensonb@edmonds.wednet.edu. Madrona is the host school this year. Thank you for your support!

– Sarah DeMun

Look for Yearbook Order Forms!

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for your child? How about a Madrona yearbook and dvd! Watch for order forms to go home in early December.

The Back Page

Save The Date!

• Nov 9 Non-Student Day
• Nov 12 Veteran’s Day observed – no school
• Nov 13 Mix It Up Lunch
• Nov 13 Civil War Re-Enactors
• Nov 13 MIT Meeting – 7PM
• Nov 13/14 Auditions for Seussical 3:50-6PM
• Nov 14 Parent Orientation Tour, 9:30 AM
• Nov 14 Last day to turn in UNICEF
• Nov 15 Barnes & Noble Book Fair, 5-9PM
• Nov 16 DHH Kickball Club
• Nov 17 ASL Storytelling, Barnes&Nobel – UVillage
• Nov 20 Pick up Wintergreens, 3-6PM
• Nov 22/23 Thanksgiving Break
• Dec 3 Parent Internet Safety Event – 6:30PM
• Dec 6 Modrona Safety Meeting - 9AM
• Dec 6 Fall Orchestra/Choir Concert – 7PM
• Dec 7 Non-Student Day
• Dec 11 Winder Band Concert – 7PM
• Dec 13 Hearing Rechecks
• Dec 14 DHH Kickball Club
• Dec 14 Middle School Dance
• Dec 18 MIT Meeting – 7PM
• Dec 22 – Jan 6 Winter Break
• Jan 7 Back to School!
• Jan 14 Kindergarten Registration begins

Attribute of Character for November

Gratitude

“To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude.”

– Albert Schweitzer

Scrip News

Remember to purchase your Barnes and Noble gift cards for the Madrona Book Fair at Barnes & Noble in Lynnwood on Thurs. Nov. 15th. Make it a family night – choose from a list of restaurants and other nearby shops for our scrip form.

The gift giving season is quickly approaching. Among the new vendors available are iTunes, Michaels, Game Stop, Sports Authority, and Applebees. Buy gift cards for everyone on your list – there is something for everyone! Also, have the grandparents use scrip for their holiday purchases. Gift cards are easy to buy and fun to receive! Place your order early and avoid the holiday rush.

Thank you to the families who have signed up their Safeway Club Cards with eScrip. As of Oct.22nd, 78 Madrona families have signed up. Please go to www.escrip.com and sign up your cards today (Madrona’s group # is 8564372). Relatives can also sign up their cards!

If you have any questions about the scrip program, please contact Linda Park at (425) 672-9485 or labpark@comcast.net.

– Linda Park